I had to head to work yesterday morning with about 6 inches of snow on top of about 2 inches of ice/slush. Of relatively flat ground, this isn't a problem. The hill I have to drive up to get out of my neighborhood however, is about a 25 to 30 degree incline. Even in 4Lo, I barely made it to the top because my XJ is essentially, a 4x1 in 2wd and a 4x2 in 4wd.

Is there any way to upgrade my D35 open rear end to a D35 trac loc without spending an arm and a leg to do it?
I think a limited slip rear end would make a world of difference.

 

How many vehicles did not make it up ?

 

4 high and momentum would have probably worked better.

 

You're probably better off to swap in an 8.25 out of the junk yard. Some 8.25's had the LSD in them from the factory. It'd save you a ton of cash & also be an upgrade for you.

 

What he said plus its a stronger differential with the 8.25, check for the 29 spline axles also.

 

This

 

Hell, most of the slush, ice and snow from this last storm I've been driving in 2wd and throwing it in 4hi only when needed. When i feel if a tire wants to slips i let up slightly and my tires dig in.

What tires you have

 

This is exactly how I've been getting around in Oklahoma City whenever we get enough snow. 2wd until I hit slush/prepacked snow or ice and get into 4hi on the fly. I don't think I've used 4lo at all in the winter this season or last.

If you come unhooked just let off the gas and get your wheel straight and you should hook back up fairly fast unless it's pure ice.

32" KM2s with slightly under a 1/2" of tread left aired to about 30lbs

 

I only use 4-lo when I'm hanging up the diffs and the snow is really deep.

Momentum and 4-hi FTW!

 

I believe PowerTrax has a auto locker listed for a DANA 35. About 2 hours to install.....no special tools and no ring/pinion set up. We've been running a PowerTrax No-Slip almost 4 years now in our C8.25. Still see that big grin in the rear view mirror. With the auto locker u can have one tire in the air and the opposit tire on dry pavement.....they will both turn the same speed.

Torque to the wheels and traction to the ground are 2 different things. Biggest, baddest tires out there wont do squat without both.....along with driver skill. Gotta be careful with that momentum thing......here lately, the news has been full of what happens with too much momentum and SFB syndrome. LOL

 

Limited slip is relatively inexpensive. A lunchbox locker may be a good option as well.

 

Not to sure about a LSD being "relatively inexpensive".....gotta have a new carrier and then the ring/pinion gears require a "set-up"....there's no ring/pinion "set-up" with a auto locker.....+/- a couple of hours and u r done installing a auto locker and there ain't no "limited slip" with a auto locker.

 

Sure it is. Track lock unit is $275. Most of the time all of the factory shims can be used when swapping a carrier. Obviously it is not always the case, but chances are good. If the OP is capable of changing it and checking the pattern that chances are that it wont cost much more than the $275.
There is a small risk, with the chance that it is not good, but in my experience I have found that carriers, and full case lockers are all machined very very close to the same spec.

 

An E-Z locker in the front may do you better. Plus it installs in the carrier you already have.

 

I would not go for a lunchbox locker like a spartan. The Lock Right system can be bought for around 300 and installed with out messing with any gear mesh in the diff at all. And no special tools. This will give you the traction you are looking for but release in the turns and wont give you any problems.